@bxlsldn.bsky.social
Brussels based Brit/Belge. Law / policy / tech / bikes
That is helpful but assumes all households pay. Ideally it'd be expressed as £x p/a for 40% taxpayers, £y for 20%, and nothing for 0% (assuming no change to vat, thresholds etc). Can see that overcomplicates...
July 7, 2025 at 8:48 AM
That is helpful but assumes all households pay. Ideally it'd be expressed as £x p/a for 40% taxpayers, £y for 20%, and nothing for 0% (assuming no change to vat, thresholds etc). Can see that overcomplicates...
I'd be surprised if any city firm have been less than 3 days a week in the office for at least a couple of years now. But agree monday/Friday are v popular work from home days
June 12, 2025 at 10:31 AM
I'd be surprised if any city firm have been less than 3 days a week in the office for at least a couple of years now. But agree monday/Friday are v popular work from home days
Reposted
This is an excellent prompt to segue to the *NEXT* piece I wrote on immigration policy in the UK, which is precisely on the economically inactive working age population and people aged over 65:
Growing labour force participation from the 65+, which was falling in the 1960s. www.ons.gov.uk/employmentan...
Employment rate 65 + People: % - Office for National Statistics
www.ons.gov.uk
May 18, 2025 at 9:56 AM
This is an excellent prompt to segue to the *NEXT* piece I wrote on immigration policy in the UK, which is precisely on the economically inactive working age population and people aged over 65:
It's incredible that no one responds with "but clearly you didn't pay in enough or our care system / infrastructure / everything wouldn't be so broken."
May 13, 2025 at 9:33 AM
It's incredible that no one responds with "but clearly you didn't pay in enough or our care system / infrastructure / everything wouldn't be so broken."
With Hollywood accounting Trump had better watch out he doesn't end up paying the studios...
May 5, 2025 at 7:42 AM
With Hollywood accounting Trump had better watch out he doesn't end up paying the studios...
Wholeheartedly agree. Feel sorry for those who drafter it. Looks to be drafted on the basis of a instructions "we hear all the time how ECtHR stops HMG implementing policy, so let's use it in our favour - there must be a case there somewhere".
May 2, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Wholeheartedly agree. Feel sorry for those who drafter it. Looks to be drafted on the basis of a instructions "we hear all the time how ECtHR stops HMG implementing policy, so let's use it in our favour - there must be a case there somewhere".
As the article says, CJEU jurisdiction may be politically tricky and surprised we haven't seen more balloons being floated to test the water (and mix the metaphors) to date.
April 30, 2025 at 2:02 PM
As the article says, CJEU jurisdiction may be politically tricky and surprised we haven't seen more balloons being floated to test the water (and mix the metaphors) to date.
Can see it would be in both sides interest to say 'this is free but no more agreements for now because we don't want to end up in CH relationship'.
Which would be disappointing for those favouring greater integration.
Which would be disappointing for those favouring greater integration.
April 30, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Can see it would be in both sides interest to say 'this is free but no more agreements for now because we don't want to end up in CH relationship'.
Which would be disappointing for those favouring greater integration.
Which would be disappointing for those favouring greater integration.
Agreed. In particular will be interesting to see how quickly payments gets put on the table. EU may be reluctant to reach 'free' agreements now because at what point when further agreements are signed tip the relationship into 'pay'?
April 30, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Agreed. In particular will be interesting to see how quickly payments gets put on the table. EU may be reluctant to reach 'free' agreements now because at what point when further agreements are signed tip the relationship into 'pay'?
Obv it's not the 1st time and probably not the 1st of the day, but you'd think this one would have traction given the human tragedy.
April 30, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Obv it's not the 1st time and probably not the 1st of the day, but you'd think this one would have traction given the human tragedy.
Quite worrying that US media as a whole can't hold this behaviour to account. Too factionalist/ beholden/ rubbish journalists.
April 30, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Quite worrying that US media as a whole can't hold this behaviour to account. Too factionalist/ beholden/ rubbish journalists.
The question unfortunately is the (perceived) delta to what we have now. Like Brexit, I expect there would be many willing to roll the dice given the current situation (wages, housing, honesty of politicians) is woeful.
April 29, 2025 at 10:06 AM
The question unfortunately is the (perceived) delta to what we have now. Like Brexit, I expect there would be many willing to roll the dice given the current situation (wages, housing, honesty of politicians) is woeful.
Yeah it feels like a premature piece from someone very well positioned to comment on the issue- civil servant and legislator in Bxls, then saw it from UK Gov, then from the private sector + US + tech. Perhaps uniquely placed. But a newspaper column seems to bring out the worst in too many people...
April 28, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Yeah it feels like a premature piece from someone very well positioned to comment on the issue- civil servant and legislator in Bxls, then saw it from UK Gov, then from the private sector + US + tech. Perhaps uniquely placed. But a newspaper column seems to bring out the worst in too many people...
What's needed is maybe not a reduction of scope of the 'day to day' but to reconsider if the institutional set up is fit for purpose to deal with the range of activities from farming subsidies to immigration to geopolitics and defence - all within the unique balance of powers of the EU.
April 28, 2025 at 8:30 AM
What's needed is maybe not a reduction of scope of the 'day to day' but to reconsider if the institutional set up is fit for purpose to deal with the range of activities from farming subsidies to immigration to geopolitics and defence - all within the unique balance of powers of the EU.
EU needs to be doing both (and indeed more single market imo). Clegg is well - nearly uniquely - placed to comment on EU reform given his career. But this article sounds a bit premature and superficial.
April 28, 2025 at 8:30 AM
EU needs to be doing both (and indeed more single market imo). Clegg is well - nearly uniquely - placed to comment on EU reform given his career. But this article sounds a bit premature and superficial.
Agree on the vote but disagree on the hard brexit - cost impact was not covered to nearly the extent the US tariffs are. Can see that the failed political/cultural arg. from the vote carried over, but think that with more focus on the economic impact of the alternative brexits it may’ve been softer
April 3, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Agree on the vote but disagree on the hard brexit - cost impact was not covered to nearly the extent the US tariffs are. Can see that the failed political/cultural arg. from the vote carried over, but think that with more focus on the economic impact of the alternative brexits it may’ve been softer
Maybe seeking to be no platformed so that they can cry victimhood.
To which the retort is simply: "you weren't invited to speak because your ideas are bonkers and that's a distraction. Thankfully free speech meant that we got to see them in the media. We're going with less bonkers speakers".
To which the retort is simply: "you weren't invited to speak because your ideas are bonkers and that's a distraction. Thankfully free speech meant that we got to see them in the media. We're going with less bonkers speakers".
February 28, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Maybe seeking to be no platformed so that they can cry victimhood.
To which the retort is simply: "you weren't invited to speak because your ideas are bonkers and that's a distraction. Thankfully free speech meant that we got to see them in the media. We're going with less bonkers speakers".
To which the retort is simply: "you weren't invited to speak because your ideas are bonkers and that's a distraction. Thankfully free speech meant that we got to see them in the media. We're going with less bonkers speakers".
Also, the comments below your post! This site is sliding towards the useless vitriol which characterised a certain other platform....
February 8, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Also, the comments below your post! This site is sliding towards the useless vitriol which characterised a certain other platform....
Is he talking about government or individuals. Because on the latter many in the UK seem to reside firmly on the risk averse side of the comfort zone. To the weakness of society and entrepreneurial spirit.
February 8, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Is he talking about government or individuals. Because on the latter many in the UK seem to reside firmly on the risk averse side of the comfort zone. To the weakness of society and entrepreneurial spirit.
One of my best decisions recently was getting BM membership to be able to pop in easily for a quick visit when back in London and in the area.
January 31, 2025 at 6:28 PM
One of my best decisions recently was getting BM membership to be able to pop in easily for a quick visit when back in London and in the area.